Paths of Faith: Praying Before Troubles Come

Prayer during calm times, before any trouble arises, is of a higher level. The sages stated: "A person should always offer prayers ahead of any trouble." (Sanhedrin 44).

Praying before troubles can sometimes prevent them from occurring, so we should always pray, even during peace and tranquility, before any difficulties might arrive, Heaven forbid. The Chafetz Chaim, of blessed memory, writes in his book Ahavat Chesed: "Be careful that the fear, sorrow, and humbleness felt during trouble should also be present in times of peace." The Chafetz Chaim advises that a person should conduct their life with the same humility and submission experienced during troubles.

Rabbi Pincus, of blessed memory, connects this source from the Chafetz Chaim to prayer and clarifies: Why did the Chafetz Chaim write 'be careful' to feel even in peaceful times the way one does in trouble?

He explains that the purpose of trouble is to awaken us to pray, as seen with the forefathers and matriarchs who longed for children because Hashem desired the prayers of the righteous. Once these emotions are awakened within us, like those felt during trouble, and we turn to Hashem, we can sometimes prevent troubles. Therefore, one must be careful to feel this even during calm times, for if a person does not awaken to pray, they place themselves in danger. If they pray, they can avoid the trouble.

This does not mean we should live in fear of potential troubles, because fear itself can bring them about. Instead, it means recognizing that there are no guarantees, and we must pray at all times for everything to remain well.

A sage once said: "Need something? Better to ask before the problem than afterwards."

Indeed, we do not have an 'insurance policy' and cannot be complacent, thinking what we have will last forever. We must always pray, to maintain what we have and request for the future.

The "Shevet Mussar" writes: "There is a custom, before celebrations (such as a family occasion), to pray there will be no evil eye on their children and that judgment will be avoided, and this is a correct practice."

Prayer Before Trouble Is More Effective

Prayer before trouble is more effective than prayer during trouble, as it's written: "The one who prays and anticipates the prayer before trouble, it is accepted more than when prayed during trouble." (Beit Elokim, Shaar HaTefilah, Chapter 12). Similarly, in medicine today, we invest greatly in preventive care because it's easier to maintain health than cure illness. Hashem has no difficulty healing, but once a person is ill, it requires a more manifest miracle and more prayers and merits.

Why is this prayer more desirable to Hashem? Because it is evident that its purpose is closeness to Hashem, whereas prayer during trouble is focused on seeking help and rescue from the trouble. Although many Jews do connect with Hashem during trouble, feeling viscerally that only Hashem can save them, and strengthen their faith to overcome the trials peacefully, it's incomparable when the connection and prayer to Hashem begin from a place of calmness and goodness.

Praying Not Only in Times of Trouble

There is a difference between 'mourning' and 'sighing': A sigh comes from sadness with a cause, mourning is sadness without a reason. When we are in a state of mourning or sighing, we remember Hashem. When we, Heaven forbid, are in trouble or 'feeling down,' we remember Hashem. But why wait for mourning or sighing? Why not turn to Hashem beforehand?!

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